How to Have a Moving Sale

4 Easy Steps to Declutter Before Moving

The big decision has finally been made: You’re making the move. Once the initial rush of euphoria wears off, you’re left with the immense task of packing up all of your worldly belongings in an orderly manner to get them to your new place. If you’re wondering how to fit that giant piano into your new place or where those 5 huge boxes of CDs are going to go, you might want to declutter before moving. Consider having a moving sale to get rid of all non-essential belongings before Mad City comes to help you with your move. So, get ready to downsize!

How to have a successful moving sale in four easy steps:

1. Pick a date and advertise. Before you begin assembling items from your home for the sale, it’s important to sit down and strategically pick a date to host your moving sale. Check first with your city or homeowner’s association if you need to get a permit before your schedule your sale. Then, consider scheduling your moving sale to coincide with rummage/garage sale season (usually springtime and end of summer) or when your neighborhood hosts its sale. Once you’ve picked a date, advertise, advertise, advertise!

Consider marketing in these ways:

Flyers on telephone poles

Signs at intersections

Online

By word of mouth

2. Gather and sort items to sell. It’s time to gather the items you want to sell from your house and take inventory. While our experienced staff at Mad City Moving is more than happy to move large and small items, if you’ve been wondering how you’ll fit all your items in your new place, it might be time to consider selling. Also, this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of items you don’t use that cause extra clutter.

Bigger items like pianos, electronics, and furniture you may want to try selling online in order to get the best price for the item. In the meantime, go through each room of your house and box everything that you would like to sell at your sale. Next, review each box with an inventory sheet in hand, and record each item.

A general rule is to price items at about 40% of the original retail price.

If you have many of one type of item, price them in bulk: For example, one CD for $6, two for $10.

Don’t be afraid to advertise and sell some items for a bargain.

Ensure ahead of time that you have enough coins and petty cash to make change for buyers.

4. Atmosphere. Barring bad weather, there are a number of things you can do to make the most out of your moving sale experience for potential buyers, including:

Turn on the radio and play some light and fun music in the background.

Keep large and/or sharp objects in designated spots away from any small hands to limit any chance of accidents.

Cleanliness is very important. Not only will a clean selling space enhance the perceived value of your items, but it will invite people to stop by. Clean both your garage and yard before the sale and make sure that your items are arranged neatly.

Have an extension cord plugged in and available in your garage for buyers who may want to test electronic items before they purchase.

Provide snacks such as cookies or cupcakes to enhance the shopping experience.

Don’t forget to be an active seller: greet everyone enthusiastically and behave as if you are a small business owner while you run your moving sale.

After your successful moving sale, you’ll want to make sure to pick up your flyers and signs soon after the sale is done. Additionally, you must decide what to do with your leftover items. If your main goal is to declutter before you move, you might want to consider donating leftover items to a charity or posting an ad online letting people know they can pick up items for free. Ideally, you won’t have too many things that are left over to dispose of—and even if you do decide to keep some of your things, our movers at Mad City Moving are more than happy to help you out.

Now that you know how to have a moving sale, it’s time to go out and do it!

Mad City Moving – You Haven’t Seen Moves Like This Before!

What Customers Are Saying

Testimonial 1

I'm writing to let you know how pleased we were with your company when we did a condo-to-house move on...

Cindy F.

99

Mad City Moving

2015-07-15T17:54:56+00:00

Cindy F.

99

I'm writing to let you know how pleased we were with your company when we did a condo-to-house move on Dec. 22. Our movers, Jeff and Jay, were incredibly professional. They worked quickly, but carefully, and were friendly throughout the move. You gave us a time and cost estimate by phone, and it was spot on.

http://madcitymoving.com/testimonials/testimonial-1-2/

Testimonial 2

I just wanted to say thank you. Not only was the staff you sent for my move right on time,...

Danielle

366

Mad City Moving

2015-07-15T18:54:28+00:00

Danielle

366

I just wanted to say thank you. Not only was the staff you sent for my move right on time, but they immediately got right to work, were friendly, careful, and extremely efficient. The job was done faster than expected, and they took great care in keeping everything clean, and in one piece.

http://madcitymoving.com/testimonials/testimonial-2-2/

Testimonial 3

Phil and Cody did a FABULOUS job on Saturday! Those guys worked quickly and without any bang ups to the...

Clair R.

368

Mad City Moving

2015-07-15T18:55:08+00:00

Clair R.

368

Phil and Cody did a FABULOUS job on Saturday! Those guys worked quickly and without any bang ups to the furniture!!! I'm so happy!!! Thank you!!!

http://madcitymoving.com/testimonials/testimonial-3-2/

Testimonial 4

We needed help, we needed it fast, and you were there. On time, under the quoted price, and helpful at...

Bryan, Anne and Rowen

370

Mad City Moving

2015-07-15T18:55:44+00:00

Bryan, Anne and Rowen

370

We needed help, we needed it fast, and you were there. On time, under the quoted price, and helpful at every step. From the beginning to the end of our dealings with your company it was professional and just plain nice!

http://madcitymoving.com/testimonials/testimonial-4-2/

Testimonial 5

Good morning, I just wanted to pass on my sincere thanks for your part in our move on Monday, August...

Sarah N. & Dan J.

372

Mad City Moving

2015-07-15T18:56:23+00:00

Sarah N. & Dan J.

372

Good morning, I just wanted to pass on my sincere thanks for your part in our move on Monday, August 17th. We could not have asked for a better experience! I believe the two guys who moved our home were Terry and Dave, and I cannot say enough good things about them. They were very friendly and extremely fast and efficient.

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Testimonial 6

I wanted to express to you my happiness with your team at Mad City Moving!...The scheduling, communication and follow up...

Ryan H.

Mad City Moving

2015-08-26T13:34:27+00:00

Ryan H.

I wanted to express to you my happiness with your team at Mad City Moving!...The scheduling, communication and follow up and documentation from Amy Silbaugh was excellent!! The team that showed up was EXTREMELY knowledgeable and professional...We look forward to using your services again in the future.

http://madcitymoving.com/testimonials/testimonial-6/

Testimonial 7

Last week, I was provided with truly excellent service from MCM. The three gentleman that were assigned to pick-up/unload were...

Sheila S.

Mad City Moving

2015-08-26T18:20:22+00:00

Sheila S.

Last week, I was provided with truly excellent service from MCM. The three gentleman that were assigned to pick-up/unload were professional, efficient, and very friendly. I want to thank you, as well, for your timely responses and confirmations. In the future, I will definitely be referring MCM to my friends/colleagues.

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Testimonial 8

Your movers are the bees knees! That was EXCEPTIONALLY amazing service. They were on time, professional and FAST! They had...

Sherry and Robert S.

Mad City Moving

2015-08-26T18:22:55+00:00

Sherry and Robert S.

Your movers are the bees knees! That was EXCEPTIONALLY amazing service. They were on time, professional and FAST! They had our living room, dining room and kitchen moved out in 30 minutes! They finished the entire job in 2.5hrs. 3hrs total for drive time. I was just amazed!

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Testimonial 9

Amy, I wish to follow up with a note telling you that the men you sent to help me on...

Dennis K.

Mad City Moving

2015-08-26T18:23:46+00:00

Dennis K.

Amy, I wish to follow up with a note telling you that the men you sent to help me on Oct. 31, did an outstanding JOB. Your company will come HIGHLY recommended!